Long as we is talkin' tools

[Pelican]

Comparing brands rather than a particular tool and with reference to the really heavy built stuff, how bout some opinions on Jet vs Grizzley vs Powermatic vs Delta Commercial vs DeWalt commercial vs ???????

Do you think one makes say a better table saw while another makes a better band saw and still another makes a better drill press. Or would you prefer to have all from one company?

This is for a long range plan. Want to retire in '07 and set up a really nice boatbuilding shop with GOOD tools. Thought I might start trying to pick up some along between now and then rather than dropping a bundle at once. Value all opinions. Thanks, Pel smile.gif

[Pelican]

Comparing brands rather than a particular tool and with reference to the really heavy built stuff, how bout some opinions on Jet vs Grizzley vs Powermatic vs Delta Commercial vs DeWalt commercial vs ???????

Do you think one makes say a better table saw while another makes a better band saw and still another makes a better drill press. Or would you prefer to have all from one company?

This is for a long range plan. Want to retire in '07 and set up a really nice boatbuilding shop with GOOD tools. Thought I might start trying to pick up some along between now and then rather than dropping a bundle at once. Value all opinions. Thanks, Pel smile.gif

[Pelican]

Comparing brands rather than a particular tool and with reference to the really heavy built stuff, how bout some opinions on Jet vs Grizzley vs Powermatic vs Delta Commercial vs DeWalt commercial vs ???????

Do you think one makes say a better table saw while another makes a better band saw and still another makes a better drill press. Or would you prefer to have all from one company?

This is for a long range plan. Want to retire in '07 and set up a really nice boatbuilding shop with GOOD tools. Thought I might start trying to pick up some along between now and then rather than dropping a bundle at once. Value all opinions. Thanks, Pel smile.gif

[cs]

Here at work we have a Jet table saw and at home I have Grizzly table saw and I would say that these 2 saws compare favorably with the Grizzly getting the edge price wise.

Chad

[cs]

Here at work we have a Jet table saw and at home I have Grizzly table saw and I would say that these 2 saws compare favorably with the Grizzly getting the edge price wise.

Chad

[cs]

Here at work we have a Jet table saw and at home I have Grizzly table saw and I would say that these 2 saws compare favorably with the Grizzly getting the edge price wise.

Chad

[Dave Fleming]

From the far reaches of the Left Coast close to the Mexican border comes the croaky old voice of moi.

For my money there is nothing better being made in North America today than General of Canada.
NOTE: that is General of Canada not the General International stuff.

Some years ago in one of the FWW mags and reprinted in one of the paperback books was an article on stationary woodworking machinery with interviews with reps. of Powermatic and Delta.
Good for background but a bit dated as Powermatic is now owned by JET and it is starting to show.
The fine 14 inch solid frame bandsoar is no longer made because it conflicted with the split frame JET model of the same dimensions.
Powermatic as well as General used Meehanite formula Cast Iron. Now I bet the Powermatic no longer does and probably many castings are coming in from Chiwan. At least from my last, one week ago visit, to my local tool emporium I checked fit and finish on a Powermatic 10 inch TS, the contender to the Delta Unisaw and I was not impressed. Sharp edges, seemingly thinner casting webs and thinner casting edges, not as finely polished table top etc..
Since you have some lead time, why not start looking around at used old arhn? Older North American stuff is out there. Just have to watch for it.
I could go on and on about old arhn but enough for now, I'm thinkin'.

[Dave Fleming]

From the far reaches of the Left Coast close to the Mexican border comes the croaky old voice of moi.

For my money there is nothing better being made in North America today than General of Canada.
NOTE: that is General of Canada not the General International stuff.

Some years ago in one of the FWW mags and reprinted in one of the paperback books was an article on stationary woodworking machinery with interviews with reps. of Powermatic and Delta.
Good for background but a bit dated as Powermatic is now owned by JET and it is starting to show.
The fine 14 inch solid frame bandsoar is no longer made because it conflicted with the split frame JET model of the same dimensions.
Powermatic as well as General used Meehanite formula Cast Iron. Now I bet the Powermatic no longer does and probably many castings are coming in from Chiwan. At least from my last, one week ago visit, to my local tool emporium I checked fit and finish on a Powermatic 10 inch TS, the contender to the Delta Unisaw and I was not impressed. Sharp edges, seemingly thinner casting webs and thinner casting edges, not as finely polished table top etc..
Since you have some lead time, why not start looking around at used old arhn? Older North American stuff is out there. Just have to watch for it.
I could go on and on about old arhn but enough for now, I'm thinkin'.

[Dave Fleming]

From the far reaches of the Left Coast close to the Mexican border comes the croaky old voice of moi.

For my money there is nothing better being made in North America today than General of Canada.
NOTE: that is General of Canada not the General International stuff.

Some years ago in one of the FWW mags and reprinted in one of the paperback books was an article on stationary woodworking machinery with interviews with reps. of Powermatic and Delta.
Good for background but a bit dated as Powermatic is now owned by JET and it is starting to show.
The fine 14 inch solid frame bandsoar is no longer made because it conflicted with the split frame JET model of the same dimensions.
Powermatic as well as General used Meehanite formula Cast Iron. Now I bet the Powermatic no longer does and probably many castings are coming in from Chiwan. At least from my last, one week ago visit, to my local tool emporium I checked fit and finish on a Powermatic 10 inch TS, the contender to the Delta Unisaw and I was not impressed. Sharp edges, seemingly thinner casting webs and thinner casting edges, not as finely polished table top etc..
Since you have some lead time, why not start looking around at used old arhn? Older North American stuff is out there. Just have to watch for it.
I could go on and on about old arhn but enough for now, I'm thinkin'.

[Bruce Hooke]

At one time or another Fine Woodworking magazine has done comparison articles on most of the major power tools. These reviews would give you a good handle on whose good in what areas and what to look for...

[Bruce Hooke]

At one time or another Fine Woodworking magazine has done comparison articles on most of the major power tools. These reviews would give you a good handle on whose good in what areas and what to look for...

[Bruce Hooke]

At one time or another Fine Woodworking magazine has done comparison articles on most of the major power tools. These reviews would give you a good handle on whose good in what areas and what to look for...

[Nicholas Carey]

Well...since DeWalt aka Black & Decker announced that they're shutting down North American manufacturing and moving it offshore, I'd scratch them from the list. But that's just me.

[Nicholas Carey]

Well...since DeWalt aka Black & Decker announced that they're shutting down North American manufacturing and moving it offshore, I'd scratch them from the list. But that's just me.

[Nicholas Carey]

Well...since DeWalt aka Black & Decker announced that they're shutting down North American manufacturing and moving it offshore, I'd scratch them from the list. But that's just me.

[videoguy]

I have a grizzly thickness planer, 6in jointer,dust colector system,and a sanding mach 9in disk 48 in belt. I'm very happy with all of them . smile.gif smile.gif ....Phil

[videoguy]

I have a grizzly thickness planer, 6in jointer,dust colector system,and a sanding mach 9in disk 48 in belt. I'm very happy with all of them . smile.gif smile.gif ....Phil

[videoguy]

I have a grizzly thickness planer, 6in jointer,dust colector system,and a sanding mach 9in disk 48 in belt. I'm very happy with all of them . smile.gif smile.gif ....Phil

[Dave Williams]

Well Dave F. said it. If you are thinking new; then General of Canada. But there is some mighty fine old arhn out there.

[Dave Williams]

Well Dave F. said it. If you are thinking new; then General of Canada. But there is some mighty fine old arhn out there.

[Dave Williams]

Well Dave F. said it. If you are thinking new; then General of Canada. But there is some mighty fine old arhn out there.

[Pelican]

Many thanks for all the input. Had not heard of General of Canada before. Maybe I aught to work the funeral home circuit. Local feller is rumored to have done that in the past buying guns from widows. Don't know if it's true but do know he has a ton of guns. Sounds kinda unscrewpewlass but hey, bet there be a bunch of prime machinery rustin' in some garages.

[Pelican]

Many thanks for all the input. Had not heard of General of Canada before. Maybe I aught to work the funeral home circuit. Local feller is rumored to have done that in the past buying guns from widows. Don't know if it's true but do know he has a ton of guns. Sounds kinda unscrewpewlass but hey, bet there be a bunch of prime machinery rustin' in some garages.

[Pelican]

Many thanks for all the input. Had not heard of General of Canada before. Maybe I aught to work the funeral home circuit. Local feller is rumored to have done that in the past buying guns from widows. Don't know if it's true but do know he has a ton of guns. Sounds kinda unscrewpewlass but hey, bet there be a bunch of prime machinery rustin' in some garages.

[TimothyB]

I keep shaking my head so much, I think I'll get whiplash. :(

So much of our industrial power is being given away to other countries, in the guise of profit, I can't even begin to comprehend how someone can get a truly trustworthy tool or part anymore. Never any thought is given to how to make things work better -here-.. always the rush to get cheap labor, cheap taxes, overseas.

For example, there are no, repeat ZERO factory shirt makers in america anymore. Mills are dissappearing. Etc. Tools. Fasteners. As everyone knows the list is endless.

I don't know about you, but personally I would pay more dinero for a product entirely made in the western world, by people being paid living wages. By a company that actually cares about its product. I already do that with my cookware, and here is one field which has things like this available. 'Professional' quality stuff is almost always made in the west.

I am hoping that someone will figure this out and start to exploit this niche so we can have more quality tools and fasteners.

Here's to hoping..

--T

PS: Does anyone here have the mojo to tell me what the small-scale commercial production of silicon bronze, brass and steel fastenings would entail? Just out of curiousity. smile.gif

[TimothyB]

I keep shaking my head so much, I think I'll get whiplash. :(

So much of our industrial power is being given away to other countries, in the guise of profit, I can't even begin to comprehend how someone can get a truly trustworthy tool or part anymore. Never any thought is given to how to make things work better -here-.. always the rush to get cheap labor, cheap taxes, overseas.

For example, there are no, repeat ZERO factory shirt makers in america anymore. Mills are dissappearing. Etc. Tools. Fasteners. As everyone knows the list is endless.

I don't know about you, but personally I would pay more dinero for a product entirely made in the western world, by people being paid living wages. By a company that actually cares about its product. I already do that with my cookware, and here is one field which has things like this available. 'Professional' quality stuff is almost always made in the west.

I am hoping that someone will figure this out and start to exploit this niche so we can have more quality tools and fasteners.

Here's to hoping..

--T

PS: Does anyone here have the mojo to tell me what the small-scale commercial production of silicon bronze, brass and steel fastenings would entail? Just out of curiousity. smile.gif

[TimothyB]

I keep shaking my head so much, I think I'll get whiplash. :(

So much of our industrial power is being given away to other countries, in the guise of profit, I can't even begin to comprehend how someone can get a truly trustworthy tool or part anymore. Never any thought is given to how to make things work better -here-.. always the rush to get cheap labor, cheap taxes, overseas.

For example, there are no, repeat ZERO factory shirt makers in america anymore. Mills are dissappearing. Etc. Tools. Fasteners. As everyone knows the list is endless.

I don't know about you, but personally I would pay more dinero for a product entirely made in the western world, by people being paid living wages. By a company that actually cares about its product. I already do that with my cookware, and here is one field which has things like this available. 'Professional' quality stuff is almost always made in the west.

I am hoping that someone will figure this out and start to exploit this niche so we can have more quality tools and fasteners.

Here's to hoping..

--T

PS: Does anyone here have the mojo to tell me what the small-scale commercial production of silicon bronze, brass and steel fastenings would entail? Just out of curiousity. smile.gif